Features
Baltic states aim to go nuclear but have to wait
The three Baltic states – which have had no nuclear reactors since the closure of Lithuania’s Soviet-designed Ignalina plant 15 years ago – are now all looking at small modular reactor technology.
Slovak presidential campaign showed how populists can dominate the narrative to mobilise support
Government candidate Peter Pellegrini used trumped-up messages of fear channelled through social media networks.
Fresh evidence suggests that the April 2022 Istanbul peace deal to end the war in Ukraine was stillborn
Fresh evidence indicates that the peace deal was probably too ambitious and, by failing to include the West in the talks, was stillborn.
Russia's finance ministry re-engineers tax system
By tinkering with the tax system, the Russian Ministry of Finance has created enough cash to pay for the war in Ukraine.
Croatia faces showdown between president and PM in April 17 general election
President Milanovic and PM Plenkovic take each other on over Russia stance and corruption scandals
TEL AVIV BLOG: Experiences on the ground in Israel as Iran strikes
Since October 7, tension has gripped the air in Israel with a tighter grasp than I’ve ever experienced in previous conflicts.
Iran vs Israel: Who is better equipped for war?
The spark has been lit, and the drumbeats of war are sounding in the tumultuous Middle East.
How much damage can Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian oil refineries do?
Since the beginning of the year, Ukrainian drones have attacked over two dozen Russian oil refineries and several oil depots in the first sustained campaign against Russia’s oil product producing facilities.
Western intelligence: Iran is preparing to attack Israel
The already fragile security landscape in the Middle East has been rocked by the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, with the spectre of an even wider regional conflict now looming.
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Ukraine faces agricultural sector pressures in EU accession talks
Tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural products are a pivotal sticking point in EU accession negotiations, sparking the need for a major reform of the bloc's Common Agricultural Policy.
Saudi Arabia to scale back plans for Neom city
Saudi Arabia has allegedly revised its plans for the ambitious $500bn Neom project, a futuristic city being developed in the northwest of the country, due to concerns over financing.
Azerbaijan doubles down by expanding gas exports to Europe
Azerbaijan is exporting more gas to Europe and Europe is keen to buy it. And as its own production of oil falls slowly it is repositioning itself as a major transit route for Kazakh oil, to allow it to reach the international markets.
Leading emerging markets move rapidly up World Bank’s PPP GDP and FDI confidence rankings
The world’s leading Emerging Markets are moving rapidly up the World Bank’s latest GDP rankings in PPP (purchase power parity) terms as well as the annual foreign direct investment confidence ranking.
Slovenia parts company with CEE with criticism of Israel
Slovenia is one of a handful of European nations pushing for recognition of Palestine.
Favourite Pellegrini battles to overturn Korcok's first round lead in Slovak presidential run-off
Pellegrini’s balancing act appears to be backfiring, putting off moderate voters of his centre-left Hlas party, while failing to convince third placed candidate Harabin's nationalist electorate.
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How Chinese oil imports are helping to support the regimes in Moscow and Tehran
A new report by the Atlantic Council has suggested that China – using a so-called dark fleet in conjunction with Russian and Iran – is effectively getting around existing sanctions on oil purchases from both countries.
Southeast Europe urgently recruiting from developing Asia ahead of summer season
One of Europe’s poorest regions is tackling labour shortages by importing workers from as far away as Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
INTERVIEW: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Olga Karatch on the squandered chance to change Belarus
After failing to oust Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, Belarus’ exiled opposition politicians are divided and increasingly unwelcome in neighbouring Lithuania.
Weak ties: Why trade between Iran and Russia is falling
In spite of repeated memoranda signed between Iran and Russia in recent years, trade had dramatically declined by the end of 2023, according to new data released by the Russian Federation.
All eyes on Imamoglu’s bid to hold Istanbul in Turkey's local elections
Though the opposition coalition has dissolved in disarray, the CHP mayor will aim to keep the anti-regime flame burning.